The main objective for the Vikings the rest of this season is winning, making the playoffs and pushing for a chance to play in the Super Bowl at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Along the way, general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer will be evaluating quarterback options for 2018 and beyond.
The best-case scenario, in my opinion, is locking horns with Teddy Bridgewater on a long-term contract extension, under the assumption that he’ll bounce back to form.
Here are 12 quarterbacks you’ll likely hear a lot about this offseason.
Case Keenum
He’s a career backup and wouldn’t be on the field this season if it weren’t for Sam Bradford injuring his knee. Unless he carries the Vikings to the promised land, there’s little chance the Vikings will look at him as the long-term answer.
Even if they do consider him an option, he’ll be a free agent after the season.
Teddy Bridgewater
Still only 25 years old, Bridgewater was activated to the 53-man roster on Wednesday, marking the first time he’s eligible to play in a game since he blew out his knee on Aug. 30, 2016.
Is Teddy ready to play in a game?
“Yes,” head coach Mike Zimmer said Wednesday.
The question is whether Bridgewater can bounce back to the player he was before the injury, and the Vikings have eight regular season games, and maybe some playoff games, to figure that out.
Bridgewater will become a free agent after the season.
Sam Bradford
Like Teddy, Bradford is a free agent going into 2018. When healthy, there’s no question that he can start in the NFL. But if the latest arthroscopic surgery he underwent this week doesn’t ease the pain and discomfort he had in his left knee, according to Chris Mortensen, then his future will continue to be questioned.
How much money has Sam Bradford's injury cost him? Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac figures after his hot start this year his market value for next year was $22 million. While we don't know how he will heal, Ginnitti says still chance next year could command Tyrod Taylor-like $15 mil
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) November 8, 2017
Kyle Sloter
He was the MVP of the 2017 preseason and by all accounts he’s a guy the Vikings think they might have something in. Whether he’s got franchise QB upside or is a reliable depth piece is the unknown.
Kirk Cousins
He’s on pace to top 4,000 yards for a third consecutive season while throwing 2.5 touchdowns to every interception. According to ESPN, barring the unlikely event that he’s franchise tagged by the Redskins for a third consecutive year, Cousins is going to receive a record-level contract.
Matthew Stafford owns the richest QB contract in NFL history at five years and $135 million ($92 million guaranteed).
Less likely 2018 free agents
Jimmy Garoppolo: Odds favor the 49ers negotiating a long-term deal or placing the franchise tag on him.
Drew Brees: There’s no way he leaves the Saints, right? Regardless, it’ll cost $20 million for his services.
Jay Cutler: He’s 34 and… just don’t even go there.
Tom Savage: No thanks.
Blaine Gabbert: He failed in Jacksonville after being taken in the first round and now he can’t even beat out Drew Stanton for the job in Arizona.
E.J. Manuel: A career passer rating of 77.1 in 30 games is nothing to drool over.
Brock Osweiler: 30 turnovers in 38 career games.
